Ask the Expert: Can you tell me what this plant is received this plant as a gift what is it and how do i care for it. J

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Although the plant has a Sansevieria look, it is actually a type of  Bromeliad. This particular plant is a Aechmea fasciata. With a bloom that lasts 10-12 weeks, it grows to an average 24-27”. It thrives in medium to high light.

For more information about Bromeliads, read our blog post Tropical Bromeliad Basic Houseplant Care or check out the specific care information for the Aechmea fasciata.

Bromeliads are members of the Bromeliaceae (bro-meh-lee-AH-say-eye) family. Pineapple is the most well known Bromeliad. This versatile family contains a wide range of plants; some that look like a pineapple and some that look very un-like a pineapple. They do best indoors in cooler climates, but can be used outdoors in warmer climates (where the temperatures never freeze). They are general easy to grown with long lasting blooms.

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Ask The Plant Expert: Hi Jamie, I came across your info via google and was wondering if you could possibly help me identify two plants that we have at our house.

I am ultimately trying to find out if they are hazardous to cats but have not had any success at identifying the names. I would sincerely appreciate any help and have attached pictures.

Sincerely,
Karen

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: What you have are Chamaedorea elegans also known as parlor plams, Neanthe bella palms, or table top palms. They are not poisonous to cats or dogs.

Ask the Expert: we are trying to identify this plant
This plant has stick type branches with tiny bottle like ends before the flowers. The first flowers were pink, these are yellow. Have you seen anything like this? Jim

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
It looks like you have one of the many different culitvars of euphorbia tirucalli.

Euphorbia tiruis commonly referred to as pencil tree, firestick, finger tree, pencil euphorbia. The cultivars of euphorbia tircalli are light loving plants and need all the sun or light that you can give them. They can not tolerate freezing temperatures and therefore are used as houseplants in areas in zone 9 and above. These highly drought tolerant plants should only be watered when dry.

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Ask the Expert: where can I find pictures of house/tropical plants.

I have several plants and I want to take care of them properly. Robin

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

A good starting place to identify blooming, tropical and houseplants is in the Flower Shop Network's plant gallery.  The plant gallery page has several different kinds of plants including a photo of each.If you click on the picture of the plant, it takes you to a page specifically dedicated to information about the plant.

Most plant pages contain water, light and fertilizer requirements for that specific plant. It may also contain information about pests and disease, as well as interesting facts. You can also find a florist near you and purchase the plant.

If your plant isn't in our plant gallery, send us a picture and one of our plant experts will do their best to identify your plant and give you care instructions.

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Ask the Expert: what type of plant is this
It has a mimosa type leaf system. Yellow flowers.Triangular seeds. see pictures. Tom

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert reply:
From your description and the pictures above, I believe the plant is a type of Cassia. It is probably a Cassia alata – Senna alata, commonly referred to a Emperor's Candlesticks. This plant is a tropical plant hardy in zone 10-12 and native to Argentina. It requires full-sun and regular to moderate watering and a need for good drainage. It produces golden yellow flowers late summer to autumn followed by seed pods that can range from 6" to 12" in length.

Cassia is a genus of over 500 species of annuals and perennials as well as deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen shrubs.  Most of which have pinnate leaves and loosely bowl-shaped flowers. Most Cassia are tropical and need warmer climates.

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Ask the Expert: what kind of flower is this?
Thank you for your help. John

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: It looks like a bloom from a cucurbit which is any plant from the gourd family. Without seeing a leaf or what the flower is attached to, I would say it probably is a squash bloom most likely a yellow squash.

Ask The Expert: I saved this little plant from a school over the summer-it had apparently been an abandoned gift to a teacher.  It was about 3 inches high, brown and nearly dead.  Clearly it is happy and healthy now standing at about 12 or 14 inches high and with lots and lots of pretty, pink, 5 petaled blooms that just keep coming by the drove, and long thin, smooth waxy leaves.  It's doing well, but I have no idea what it is.  Can someone help me identify my little orphaned plant? Thanks! -Jessica

Flower Shop Network's Plant Expert Reply: Jessica, what you've got there is a Catharanthus roseus, also known as Vinca. A favorite houseplant because of it's long blooming season — early spring to fall.

Catharanthus roseus Care & Maintenance

This is a very hardy houseplant to maintain. (Although it looks like you've done a great job so far!) It's best to keep the Catharanthus roseus in a warm, bright location, but not in full sun. Keep the plant watered; never let the root ball dry out. Invest in a spray bottle to keep it's humidity up.  Prune in spring.

A Little extra: Extracts from the Catharanthus roseus have been used in the treatment of numerous diseases, including diabetes, malaria, Hodgkin's disease and leukemia.

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Ask The Expert: I was given a very old plant i want to identify. It is very old I was told it is a type of Christmas cactus but I have never seen one before with thorns like a rose.  It is very pretty but driving me crazy to find out what it is and proper care for it to bloom. Thank you for your help in advance.

Flower Shop Network's Plant Expert Reply: Not 100% certain, but I'm pretty sure this is a Euphorbia milii also known as a crown of thorns plant or Christ plant. (If anyone has a better ID, please leave a comment!)

E. milii is a succulent shrub and can grow to be about 6.5 ft. The plant produces beautiful flowers throughout the year that can be pink, red, yellow or white.

Euphorbia milii Care & Maintenance

Place your crown of thorns plant in a warm and sunny location all year. In the summer, it can be kept outdoors, but sheltered. Water your Euphorbia milii moderately. During peak growing season, spring to fall, feed it cactus food regularly. Use cactus soil with a clay additive when re-potting. You can prune at any time.

Because of it's hardiness, the Euphorbia milii makes a great houseplant.

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ASK THE EXPERT: My best friend is living in Tucson, Arizona, and sent me some clippings from a "really cool plant" there that can apparently grow a whole new plant and survive in Utah, where I am. I took it to a local nursery and they said they thought it was succulent.

The leaves are about four inches long and two inches wide, with smooth small ridges on the outside. They have spores, and I believe the couple of sprouts I have fell off of the leaves are from the spores. I really would like to keep this thing alive, but I need to know what it is first. I have it in cactus, palm, and citrus soil for now.

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: This one was a little difficult, so we contacted our local nurseryman, Neal Adams. He says, That one was tough! But I'm a pretty smart guy.  It is Kalanchoe pinnata  "Cathedral Bells"

The Kalanchoe pinnata is indeed a really, cool plant. It has big, droopy bells for blooms that make it really unique.

Plant Care For Kalanchoe Plants

Kalanchoes are typically easy to care for plants and require minimal plant care. Water Kalanchoes moderately, letting the soil dry completely before you water them again. Make sure your container has good drainage; succulents are easily damaged by over-watering. Kalanchoes love bright and sunny locations, but will stand other lighting conditions. They must be kept above 54° at all times, although higher temps are preferred.

Care & Maintenance For Kalanchoe Plants

To keep Kalanchoes well shaped, pruning is necessary. Trim spent blooms and their stems as needed to encourage future blooming. For a fuller plant, pinch the top back to the second or third leaf to encourage branching.

For more information, check out Flowering Kalanchoe blossfeldiana: Care & Maintenance.

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Ask The Expert: This woody, palmate, rounded lance-shaped leaf plant grew out of a viney, heart-shaped alternate-leafed pathos.  More than once.  This is the only one I saved.  My friend has one about six feet tall, and she said it was an "elephant- bush", or something, but I can't find anything like it.  The trunk is uniquely twisted, or meandering.  The other identifying info on the trunk is that it is layered, like some palms, like a grass. -David

Flower Shop Network's Plant Expert Reply: David, what I believe you have there is a Schefflera actinophylla (also called Brassica actinophylla), also know as "green Schefflera" or "octopus tree." A hardy, evergreen shrub that is popular as a houseplant. It can withstand tough conditions making it perfect for any living arrangement. A green Schefflera in good condition looks more like this:

You said your friend's green Schefflera tree is 'uniquely twisted', this is not surprising. This type of tree is easy to shape and lends itself well to bonsai art.

This plant flourishes in a lot of light. Green Schefflera require an evenly moist environment. Water moderately during growth and keep only moist to the touch in winter. For more, go to Green Schefflera House Plant Care and Information.

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